Stability Control System and Partial Power Loss

["Frank Natoli" <frankn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Have 2000 BMW 323i, MT, 18K miles, driving on clean dry interstate at 80
MPH, have sudden partial power loss and three engine warning lamps
activated simultaneously (continuously, no blinking). They were the
engine problem icon, the EML lamp and the stability control system lamp.
Idled OK, but would not allow speed to exceed 50 MPH, even downhill! It
would simply shut off the gas (or not crack the throttle, it being a fly
by wire system). Problem continued the whole way home, sixty miles.
Engine would miss badly if I tried to exceed 50 MPH, but was smooth at
45 MPH. No problem going up hills, no matter how steep, just don't try
to exceed 50 MPH. Pressed stability control disable button, no effect.
Back home, stopped at light, proceeded in first gear, could rev to 5K,
no problem, but still could not exceed 50 MPH, no matter what gear.
Dropped off at BMW dealer, shut off engine, restarted, all warning lamps
still on. That was Saturday afternoon. When they started it themselves
Monday morning, all the warning lamps were off, but the computer
remembered all the faults. I had noticed that the fuel gauge was
apparently stuck, as of the power failure, and the computer reported a
fuel tank data problem. BMW was unable to duplicate the power loss
problem. What gives?

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